Linkage operating mechanism for sliding gate

ABSTRACT

Operating mechanism for a gate slidable between closed and open positions relative to the discharge opening of a hopper outlet assembly. The operating mechanism includes a rotatable shaft, and force transmitting linkage means connected between the shaft and the gate and serving to slide the gate to open position upon rotation of the shaft in one direction and to closed position upon rotation of the shaft in the other direction. Reaction means is carried by the force transmitting means, and projection means rotatable with the shaft is engageable with the reaction means to initiate sliding movement of the gate toward closed position upon rotation of the shaft in said other direction.

United States Patent Worrell M. Danielson Evergreen Park. I11. [211 AppLNo. 734,720

[22] Filed June5,1968

[72] Inventor [45] Patented Jan. 19,1971

[ 73] Assignee Enterprise Railway Equipment Company Chicago, 111. a corporation of Delaware [54] LINKAGE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SLIDING GATE 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 105/282, 105/296. 105/299, 105/304. 222/505 [51] 1nt.Cl 861d 7/02, Bold 7/20, 861d 7/26 [50] Field ofSearch 105/282. 290. 296. 299, 304; 222/505 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.204.543 l 1/1916 Campbell 105/290X Primary ExaminerArthur L. La Point Assistant Examinerl-1oward Beltran Attorneys-Edward F. Jurow and Clifford A.,Dean

ABSTRACT: Operating mechanism for a gate slidable between closed and open positions relative to the discharge opening of a hopper outlet assembly. The operating mechanism includes a rotatable shaft, and force transmitting linkage means connected between the shaft and the gate and serving to slide the gate to open position upon rotation of the shaft in one direction and to closed position upon rotation of the shaft in the other direction. Reaction means is carried by the force transmitting means, and projection means rotatable with the shaft is engageable with the reaction means to initiate sliding movement of the gate toward closed position upon v rotation of the shaft in said other direction.

PATENTED JAN] 9 I97! SHEET 1 BF 2 AR ww PATENT ED JAN-1 9 lsn SHEET 2 OF 2 LINKAGE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SLIDING GATE I I FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present iniventionrelates generally to a hopper outlet assembly which is adapted for use, for example, in connection with railroad hopper cars. and more particularly to operating mechanism for moving a slide gate, associated with the hopper outlet assembly. between closed and open positions."

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, force transmitting means is connected between an operating shaft and the slide gateof the hopper outlet assembly, and comprises crank arm means rotatable with the operating shaft, primary link means pivotally connectedto. the gate, and intermediate link means pivotally connected between the primary link means and the crank arm means. Uponrotation of the operating shaft in one direction, the force transmitting means serves to slide the gate.

to open position, and, upon rotation of the operating shaft in the other direction, the force transmitting means servesto slide the gate to closed position. To initiate sliding movement of the gate from the open'towardv closed position upon rotation of the operating shaft in said other direction, the primary link means is provided with abutment means, andthe operating shaft is provided with projecting arm means engagcable with the abutment means.

In addition. first stop means, which is stationarily mounted relative to the slide gate. cooperates with the primary link means to limit pivotal movement of the primary link means relative to the gate when the latter is moved towardopen position. Furthermorc,.thc crank arm means. the primary link means and the intermediate link means are disposable generally in-line and over center to hold the gate in closed position. Still further, the intermediate link means is provided with second stop means cooperating with the primary link means, and the crank arm means is provided with third stop means cooperating with the intermediate link means, whereby to maintainthe crank arm means and the primary and intermediate link means in overcenter relation until the operating shaft is rotated inlsaid one direction to open the gate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of a hopper outlet assembly incorporating the slide gate operating mechanism of the present invention, with the slide gate being shown in closed position;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 2, but shows the slide gate operating mechanism as positioned when the slide gate is in a partially open position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 2, but shows the slide gate operating mechanism as positioned when the slide gate is in full open position; and I FIG. 5 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 2. but shows the slide gate operating mechanism as positioned at the commencement of closing of the slide gate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. I, there is indicated generally by the reference numeral a hopper outlet assembly incorporating the principles of the present invention. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the hopper outlet assembly 10 is adapted to be arranged at the lower .end of the hopper, for example, of a railroadhopper car which may be of either the side pocket type or the centerflow type.

The hopper outlet assembly 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is comprised of agenerally rectangular main frame I2having sidewalls l4and l6 and end-walls l8 and 20. These wall members are adapted to be, suitably secured, as by welding, to the lower portion of a hopper, andserve todefine a discharge opening through, which lading can flow by gravity from the hopper. I

The sidewalls l4 and 16 are formed with longitudinal extensions 22 and 24 which project beyond the end wall 20. Secured along the sidewalls -l4 and 16 and the longitudinal extensions 22 and 24 thereof are guide tracks 26 which are inclined downwardly in the direction of the main frame 12. Extending between the guide tracks 26 adjacent the lower portion of the end wall 18 isia transverse guide bar 28, and extending between the guide tracks 26 and spaced slightly below the lower edge of the end wall 20 is a transverse guide channel 30. A generally rectangular slide gate 32 is arranged for sliding movement along the guide tracks 26, and, when disposed across the transverse guide bar 28. and guide channel 30. serves to close the discharge opening in the main frame 12. To

facilitate sliding movement of the gate 32, rollers 34 may be suitably mounted at spaced locations along the upper flange of the transverse guide channel 30.

The operating mechanism of the present invention for effecting movement of the slide gate 32 between closed and open positions comprises a transverse operating shaft 36 rotatably journaled in bearing assemblies 38 mounted at the outer ends of the sidewall extensions 22 and 24. Connected between the operating shaft 36 and the trailing edge of the slide gate 32 is force transmitting means in the form of a pair of linkage units indicated generally by the reference numeral 40.

Each linkage unit 40 comprises a pair of laterally spaced arm members 42 secured on the operating shaft 36 for rotation therewith. The arm members 42 have crank arm portions 44 extending radially in one direction, and projecting arm portions 46 extending radially in the other direction. Each arm portion 46 presents an arcuate cam edge surface 48.

Each linkageunit 40 further comprises mounting means in the form of a pair of laterally spaced lug members 50 secured to the trailing edge of the slide gate 32. A primary link member 52 is pivotally connected at one end,

by means of a pin member 54, to the lug members 50 intermediate thereof. Secured on each side of the primary link member 52 is a reaction or lateral abutment member 56.

The crank arms 44 and the primary link member 52 of each linkage unit 40 are interconnected by an intermediate link member 58. The link member 58 includes a body portion 60 pivotally connected by a pin member 62 to the crank arms 44 intermediate thereof. The intermediate link member 58 also includes a pair of laterally spaced arm portions 64 which are pivotally connected by a pin member 66 to the other end of the, primary link member 52 at the opposite sides thereof. A

first stop pin 68 is mounted in the lug members 50, a second stop pin 70 is mounted in the intermediate link arms 64, and a third stop pin 72 is mounted in the crank arms 44.

When the slide gate 32 is positioned across the discharge opening of the main frame 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the discharge opening is closed thereby for retaining lading within the associated hopper. With slide gate 32 in this position, the crank arms 44, the primary link members 52, and the intermediate link members 58 are disposed generally in-line and over center, with the axesof the pin members 62 and 66 lying slightly below the plane passing through the axes of the operating shaft 36 and the pin members 54 mounted in the lug members 50. By reason of this arrangement, the slide gate 32 is held in closed position. Additionally, the second step pins 70 cooperatively erigage the top edges of the primary link members 52, while the third stop pins 72 cooperatively engage the upper edges of the intermediate link members 58, whereby to maintain the crank arms 44, the primary link members 52 and the intermediate. link members 58 in overcenter relation until'the operating shaft 36 is rotated.

When it is desired to discharge lading through the discharge opening in the main frame 12, the operating shaft 36 is rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2. Such rotation of the shaft 36 effects concurrent rotation of the crank arms 44 which, in turn, pulls the intermediate link members 58, the primary link members 52 and the slide gate 32 toward the right as viewed in FIG. 2. As the slide gate 32 is thus moved toward open position, the first stop pins 68 in the lug members 50 are cooperatively engaged by the upper edges of the primary link members 52. as shown in FIG. 3. to thereby limit pivotal movement of the primary link members 52 relative to the slide gate 32. Also. as the slide gate 32 is moved toward open position. the intermediate link members 58 and the primary link members 52 are drawn or folded about the operating shaft 36 and assume the position shown in H0. 4 when the slide gate 32 is fully open. The described linkage units 40 of the present invention provide a high mechanical advantage for breakaway of initial opening of the slide gate 32. and. as the slide gate 32 is moved toward full open position, this mechanical advantage changes in a manner allowing the slide gate to be open completely in less than one revolution of the operating shaft To return the slide gate 32 to closed position. the operating shaft 88 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 4. At the commencement of counterclockwise rotation of the operating shaft 36. the cam edge surfaces 48 of the cam arms 46 engage the abutment members 56. as shown in FIG. 5. to initiate sliding movement of the gate 32 toward closed position. The cam surfaces 48 serve to effect the most efficient force action against the abutment members 56 which during the initial stage of closing serve as cam followers. As the operating shaft 36 is further rotated counterclockwise. the components of the linkage units 40 move from the position shown in FIG. 5. through the position shown in FIG. 3. and are returned to the position shown in FIG. 2. whereupon the slide gate 32 is again disposed in a fully closed position.

In a conventional manner. retaining flanges 74 are provided along the guide tracks 26 to restrain upward shifting of the slide gate 32 during movement along the guide tracks 26. Also. one end of the operating shaft 36. as shown in FIG. 1. is provided with a conventional socket member 76 adapted to receive a removable bar which may be used for rotating the shaft 36 and moving the gate 32. ln addition. suitable seal means may be associated with the operating shaft 36 to prevent the latter from rotating when movement of the slide gate 32 is not desired.

While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention. it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various rearrangements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

lclaim:

l. in a hopper outlet assembly including a main frame having a discharge opening through which lading is fiowable by gravity. a pair of parallel gate support rails defining the sides of said discharge opening and projecting away from said discharge opening in one direction. a generally horizontal slot defined in the end of said main frame adjacent said projecting gate support rails. and a gate slidable on said support rails and through said generally horizontal slot between closed and open positions relative to the discharge opening. and an operating shaft rotatably mounted on said gate support rails at the terminal ends thereof. improved linkage means interconnected between the gate and shaft for operating the gate comprising. a pair of laterally spaced arm members secured on the operating shaft for rotation therewith and each having a crank arm portion extending radially in one direction and a cam arm portion extending radially in the other direction. a pair of laterally spaced lugs mounted on the trailing edge of said gate in alignment with said pair of arm members on said operating shaft. a first link pivotally connected at one end between said laterally spaced lugs. a second link pivotally connected at one end between said laterally spaced crank arm portions of said spaced arm members on said operating shaft with the other end thereof being bifurcated for receiving the other end of said first link. means pivotally interconnecting said bifurcated end of said second link and said other end of said first link. first stop pin means extending between said pair of spaced lugs and spaced above and toward said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said lugs and said first link when said gate is fully closed. second stop pin means extending between said bifurcated end portions of said second link and spaced above and away from said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said first and second links when said gate is fully closed. third stop pin means extending between said spaced crank arm portions of said arm members on said shaft and spaced above and away from said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said second link and said arm members when said gate is fully closed. and a pair of lateral abutment members secured on opposite sides of said first link and adapted to be engaged by said cam arm portions of said arm members on said shaft during initial gate-closing rotation of said shaft. said second and third stop pins being engageable with the top edges of said first and second links. respectively. when said gate is fully closed whereby to retain said linkage means in an overcenter locking condition. and said first stop pin being engageable with the top edge of said first link during opening movement of the gate to limit upward pivotal movement ofsaid first link.

2. The hopper outlet assembly of claim 1 wherein one or more rollers are mounted in said main frame adjacent the lower edge of said generally horizontal slot defined therein to facilitate sliding movement of said gate.

3. In a hopper outlet assembly including a main frame having a discharge opening through which lading is fiowable by gravity. a pair of parallel gate support rails defining the sides of said discharge opening and projecting away from said discharge opening in one direction. a generally horizontal slot defined in the end of said main frame adjacent said projecting gate support rails. and a gate slidable on said support rails and through said generally horizontal slot between closed and open positions relative to the discharge opening. the improvement which comprises an operating shaft rotatably mounted on said gate support rails at the terminal ends thereof. a pair of laterally spaced arm members secured on the operating shaft for rotation therewith and each having a crank arm portion extending radially in one direction and a cam arm portion extending radially in the other direction. a pair of laterally spaced lugs mounted on the trailing edge of said gate in alignment with said pair of arm members on said operating shaft. a first link pivotally connected at one end between said laterally spaced lugs. a second link pivotally connected at one end between said laterally spaced crank arm portions of said spaced arm members on said operating shaft with the other end thereof being bifurcated for receiving the other end of said first link. means pivotally interconnecting said bifurcated end of said second link and said other end of said first link. first stop pin means extending between said pair of spaced lugs and spaced above and toward said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said lugs and said first link when said gate is fully closed. second stop pin means extending between said bifurcated end portions of said second link and spaced above and away from said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said first and second links when said gate is fully closed. third stop pin means extending between said spaced crank arm portions of said arm members on said shaft and spaced above and away from said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said second link and said arm members when said gate is fully closed. and a pair of lateral abutment members secured on opposite sides of said first link and adapted to be engaged by said cam arm portions of said arm members on said shaft during initial gate-closing rotation of said shaft. said second and third stop pins being engageable with the top edges of said first and second links. respectively. when said gate is fully closed. and said first stop pin being engageable with the top edge of said first link during opening movement of the gate to limit upward pivotal movement of said first link.

4. In a hopper outlet assembly including a main frame having a discharge opening through which lading is fiowable by gravity. a pair of parallel gate support rails defining the sides of said discharge opening and projecting away from said discharge opening in one direction. a generally horizontal slot defined in the end of said main frame adjacent said projecting gate support rails, and a gate slidable on said support rails and through said generally horizontal slot between closed and open positions relative to the discharge opening. the improvement which comprises an operating shaft rotatably mounted on said gate support rails at the terminal ends thereof. a pair of laterally spaced arm members secured on the operating shaft for rotation therewith and each having a crank arm portion extending radially in one direction and a cam arm portion extending radially in the other direction. a pair of laterally spaced lugs mounted on the trailing edge of said gate in alignment with said pair of arm members on said operating shaft. a first link pivotally connected at one end between said laterally spaced lugs. a second link pivotally connected at one end between said laterally spaced crank arm portions of said spaced arm members on said operating shaft with the other end thereof being bifurcated for receiving the other end of said first link. means pivotally interconnecting said bifurcated end of said second link and said other end of said first link. first stop pin means extending between said pair of spaced lugs and spaced above and toward said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said lugs and said first link when said gate is fully closed. second stop pin means extending between said bifurcated end portions of said second link and spaced above and away from said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said first and second links when said gate is fully closed. third stop pin means extending between said spaced crank arm portions of said arm members on said shaft and spaced above and away from said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said second link and said arm members when said gate is fully closed, a pair of lateral abutment members secured on opposite sides of said first link and adapted to be engaged by said cam arm portions of said arm members on said shaft during initial gate-closing rotation of said shaft. said second and third stop pins being engageable with the top edges of said first and second links. respectively, when said gate is fully closed, said first stop pin being engageable with the top edge of said first link during opening movement of the gate to limit upward pivotal movement of said first link. and one or more rollers mounted in said one end of said main frame adjacent the lower edge of said generally horizontal slot defined therein to support and thereby facilitate sliding movement of said gate. 

1. In a hopper outlet assembly including a main frame having a discharge opening through which lading is flowable by gravity, a pair of parallel gate support rails defining the sides of said discharge opening and projecting away from said discharge opening in one direction, a generally horizontal slot defined in the end of said main frame adjacent said projecting gate support rails, and a gate slidable on said support rails and through said generally horizontal slot between closed and open positions relative to the discharge opening, and an operating shaft rotatably mounted on said gate support rails at the terminal ends thereof, improved linkage means interconnected between the gate and shaft for operating the gate comprising, a pair of laterally spaced arm members secured on the operating shaft for rotation therewith and each having a crank arm portion extending radially in one direction and a cam arm portion extending radially in the other direction, a pair of laterally spaced lugs mounted on the trailing edge of said gate in alignment with said pair of arm members on said operating shaft, a first link pivotally connected at one end between said laterally spaced lugs, a second link pivotally connected at one end between said laterally spaced crank arm portions of said spaced arm members on said operating shaft with the other end thereof being bifurcated for receiving the other end of said first link, means pivotally interconnecting said bifurcated end of said second link and said other end of said first link, first stop pin means extending between said pair of spaced lugs and spaced above and toward said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said lugs and said first link when said gate is fully closed, second stop pin means extending between said bifurcated end portions of said second link and spaced above and away from said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said first and second links when said gate is fully closed, third stop pin means extending between said spaced crank arm portions of said arm members on said shaft and spaced above and away from said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said second link and said arm members when said gate is fully closed, and a pair of lateral abutment members secured on opposite sides of said first link and adapted to be engaged by said cam arm portions of said arm members on said shaft during initial gate-closing rotation of said shaft, said second and third stop pins being engageable with the top edges of said first and second links, respectively, when said gate is fully closed whereby to retain said linkage means in an overcenter locking condition, and said first stop pin being engageable with the top edge of said first link during opening movement of the gate to limit upward pivotal movement of said first link.
 2. The hopper outlet assembly of claim 1 wherein one or more rollers are mounted in said main frame adjacent the lower edge of said generally horizontal slot defined therein to facilitate sliding movement of said gate.
 3. In a hopper outlet assembly including a main frame having a discharge opening through which lading is flowable by gravity, a pair of parallel gate support rails defining the sides of said discharge opening and projecting away from said discharge opening in one direction, a generally horizontal slot defined in the end of said main frame adjacent said projecting gate support rails, and a gate slidable on said support rails and through said generally horizontal slot between closed and open positions relative to the discharge opening, the improvement which comprises an operating shaft rotatably mounted on said gate support rails at the terminal ends thereof, a pair of laterally spaced arm members secured on the operating shaft for rotation therewith and each having a crank arm portion extending radially in one direction and a cam arm portion extending radially in the other direction, a pair of laterally spaced lugs mounted on the traiLing edge of said gate in alignment with said pair of arm members on said operating shaft, a first link pivotally connected at one end between said laterally spaced lugs, a second link pivotally connected at one end between said laterally spaced crank arm portions of said spaced arm members on said operating shaft with the other end thereof being bifurcated for receiving the other end of said first link, means pivotally interconnecting said bifurcated end of said second link and said other end of said first link, first stop pin means extending between said pair of spaced lugs and spaced above and toward said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said lugs and said first link when said gate is fully closed, second stop pin means extending between said bifurcated end portions of said second link and spaced above and away from said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said first and second links when said gate is fully closed, third stop pin means extending between said spaced crank arm portions of said arm members on said shaft and spaced above and away from said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said second link and said arm members when said gate is fully closed, and a pair of lateral abutment members secured on opposite sides of said first link and adapted to be engaged by said cam arm portions of said arm members on said shaft during initial gate-closing rotation of said shaft, said second and third stop pins being engageable with the top edges of said first and second links, respectively, when said gate is fully closed, and said first stop pin being engageable with the top edge of said first link during opening movement of the gate to limit upward pivotal movement of said first link.
 4. In a hopper outlet assembly including a main frame having a discharge opening through which lading is flowable by gravity, a pair of parallel gate support rails defining the sides of said discharge opening and projecting away from said discharge opening in one direction, a generally horizontal slot defined in the end of said main frame adjacent said projecting gate support rails, and a gate slidable on said support rails and through said generally horizontal slot between closed and open positions relative to the discharge opening, the improvement which comprises an operating shaft rotatably mounted on said gate support rails at the terminal ends thereof, a pair of laterally spaced arm members secured on the operating shaft for rotation therewith and each having a crank arm portion extending radially in one direction and a cam arm portion extending radially in the other direction, a pair of laterally spaced lugs mounted on the trailing edge of said gate in alignment with said pair of arm members on said operating shaft, a first link pivotally connected at one end between said laterally spaced lugs, a second link pivotally connected at one end between said laterally spaced crank arm portions of said spaced arm members on said operating shaft with the other end thereof being bifurcated for receiving the other end of said first link, means pivotally interconnecting said bifurcated end of said second link and said other end of said first link, first stop pin means extending between said pair of spaced lugs and spaced above and toward said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said lugs and said first link when said gate is fully closed, second stop pin means extending between said bifurcated end portions of said second link and spaced above and away from said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said first and second links when said gate is fully closed, third stop pin means extending between said spaced crank arm portions of said arm members on said shaft and spaced above and away from said shaft relative to the pivotal connection between said second link and said arm members when said gate is fully closed, a pair of lateral abutment members secured on opposite sides of said first link and adapted to be engaged by said cam arm portions oF said arm members on said shaft during initial gate-closing rotation of said shaft, said second and third stop pins being engageable with the top edges of said first and second links, respectively, when said gate is fully closed, said first stop pin being engageable with the top edge of said first link during opening movement of the gate to limit upward pivotal movement of said first link, and one or more rollers mounted in said one end of said main frame adjacent the lower edge of said generally horizontal slot defined therein to support and thereby facilitate sliding movement of said gate. 